Congratulations to Senator Frank Padavan, who finally was certified as the winner in the 11 State Senate district race. This was a close election, and I realize that there were legal challenges involved with the disputed paper ballots, however, I can not understand why the process of counting the votes took three months to complete. The delays and the roadblocks orchestrated by those who wanted Senator Padavan out left the residents of this district without representation in the State Senate in Albany for one month.

In the end, most of the disputed ballots were counted even through a bipartisan vote by The Board of Elections initially disqualified these ballots. Senator Padavan still was ahead despite the political wrangling and the heavy financial backing his opponent received.

I must say that I thought that many of the charges leveled at Senator Padavan by his opponent before and after Election Day were outrageous. In particular, the charge that Senator Padavan was trying to disenfranchise minority voters was particularly offensive. Anyone who knows Senator Padavan and his record of accomplishments for all the residents in his district, realizes how unfair and untrue those charges were.

In every election, there should be a spirited discussion of the issues among the candidates competing for the office. But that discussion must be based on truth and conduct without rancor.

Politicians should have to prove that they deserve election and re-election and merit the right to represent the people in their districts. I believe that Senator Padavan consistently fights for all of the people he represents and I am glad that he will continue to serve us in Albany at least for the next two years.